Data recently published by the ministry of fishing affairs revealed the extent to which the Spanish fishing industry has defied one of the deepest financial crises the country has suffered since it gained European Union membership. It turns out the sector has weathered the past four years better than previously thought.
The economic value of the fishing industry’s business improved by 2.3% since 2009 to slightly above €4.5 billion, even though production fell by 2.8%. Between 2011 and 2013, some 1,000 jobs were lost but the percentage is far healthier than the national 28% with merely 11.3%.
The official figures show that only last year household consumption of fishing products began to recover, 2 percentage points comparing to 2012, spending a total of €9.1bn and buying 1.2bn of kilograms of fish. This would suggest there’s a potential growth margin when Spain restores its balance sheet.
During the last two years, exports have remained flat at €2.9bn, of which €2.4bn came from fish processing. Imports have lost strength, though, to €4.73bn in 2013 from €5.04bn in 2012, helping to somehow cut down the trade deficit of the industry.
The ministry also said that since 2008, taking the latest 2012 surveys into account, captures of sole and halibut have dropped by 33% to 15,481 metric tons, and 4.4% cod and hake fishing volumes to 116,751t. Catches of tuna increased to 238,915t by 14.2%, while octopus and squid did so by 8.5% to 53,784t.
Fresh fish production slipped down 3.1% to 349,709t in 2012 with an economic value of €751.2m. Frozen fish lost 1.9% to 391.171t or €656.7m.
The Spanish fishing fleet retained its third position in the European largest industry ranking thanks to its 10,116 vessels, whose average tonnage is 38.1 and surpasses that of the British, French and Italian counterparts.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
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